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The Algarve is a haven for golfers with many world class courses within easy reach of Casa Ferrel

The Algarve, Portugalâ€™s southernmost region, is only a two or three hour flight from the majority of most major European cities and has been a haven for golfers since the the 1960â€™s when the region first started to invest in golf courses. Today the Algarve has over approximately 35 golf courses, some considered amongst the best in Europe. so its not hard to see why its the perfect place for golf holidays in the Algarve.

With over 3,000 hours of sunshine every year and the constantly pleasant climate the golf season in the Algarve runs all year round. Golfers from northern European countries can enjoy warm, sunny days even during the winter months, giving them the opportunity to maintain their swings at a time when courses back home are soggy or unplayable.

During the summer months early morning golf is recommended due to the heat. Of course this allows for a long lunch in the sun and a siesta before a pleasant evening at dinner in some of the finest restaurants around. Prior to visiting a golf course in the Algarve itâ€™s best to contact the courses to be sure of availability, tee off times and dress codes etc.

With so many first rate golf courses close to the stunning Portugal villa, its a dream destination for any golf holiday to Portugal.

It was Englishman, Sir Henry Cotton the three times Open Championship winner, who firmly put the Algarve on the golfing globe when he designed Le Meridien Penina, the first of three golf courses he designed in the Algarve.

Since the 1960â€™s golf courses have mushroomed all along the Algarve coast with many other famous golfers having designed courses in the region. Most notably Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus who was the architect for Monte Rei, a challenging course that enjoys spectacular views of the Serra do Caldeirao Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

While none of the existing courses are located no more than 16kms from the coastline, the terrain varies enormously from the near sea level flatlands of the reputable and technically brilliant Vilamoura and Salgados, which along with Palmares all include links holes, to the steep hillsides of Parque da Floresta.

Golf courses which are worth a mention include Boavista Golf Course, an impressive course which preserves, integrates and harmonises with the area’s natural terrain and the relatively new and challenging Vila Sol which has already hosted the Portuguese Open on two occasions.

Finally, the meticulously maintained San Lorenzo enjoys a formidable reputation which has been enhanced by being recently voted the second best golf course in Europe. Regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Algarve golfing circuit, San Lorenzo is set in the breathtaking beauty of the Rio Formosa Nature Reserve and is a course which cannot be missed if youâ€™re in the Algarve on a golfing holiday. San Lorenzo is a very short trip from our Algarve villa.

If you are planning an Algarve golfing holiday with luxury accommodation, then you need to know that Casa Ferrel is situated in Praia Da Luz close to Lagos, making it an ideal base for a memorable golfing break.

For a complete information guide to all golf courses in the Algarve click here.

Check out the golf courses closest to Casa Ferrel below

Breaking News

2015’s international golf â€˜Clubhouse of the Yearâ€™ shortlist has been announced and only one place outside the US makes the running

Casa Ferrel local club, Espiche Golf clubhouse! Described as follows:

“The course is a notably spectacular location and is challenging, where nature abounds and snares the unwary.

Now Espiche can boast the best new clubhouse in the Algarve, and maybe soon, in the world

The clubhouse was designed by Architect Nadine Berger with terraces and lounges on two levels, a restaurant and bar area, inner patio garden, changing rooms and reception area.”

Golf Courses close to Casa Ferrel

Boa Vista Golf Club offers superb facilities in a uniquely sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere and is already attracting people from all over the world. This impressive 18 Hole Championship golf course was designed by Howard Swan MSc, a past president of The European Institute of Golf Course Architects. His philosophy – to create a course as if it has always been there – has been sensitively applied at Boa vista, preserving, integrating and harmonizing with the area’s natural terrain.

With two distinctive sections the course offers a variety of holes commencing with the welcoming first hole, a meandering downhill par 4, bordered by beautiful sub-tropical landscaping leading to harmoniously designed properties.

The signature hole on the outward nine is the stunning par 4, 7th hole set against a glorious backdrop of the Atlantic ocean with exhilarating panoramic views extending from Praia da Luz round to with the hills at Monchique creating a spectacular backdrop.

Located in the picturesque and less touristy Western Algarve, minutes from the ocean, outside the beautiful town of Lagos you’ll find a spectacular and challenging golf course where nature abounds.

This challenging 18-hole, par 72 course offers superb rolling terrain that blends into the Algarve landscape. Its lakes, streams and indigenous planting add to the enrichment and biodiversity of the area. The course is surrounded by beautiful open countryside, trading the typical Portuguese golf experience of hotels and high rises for vineyards and views of the Monchique Mountains in the distance. 5,862 meters (6,411 yards) from the back tees and several other options make the course enjoyable for the casual and serious golfer alike. For those who want to sharpen up their games, our range offers grass tees.

The clubhouse is being built into the hillside, integrated into the existing landscape. Built on the site of an old Algarvian farm house the stone from the original building will be used in the lower walls of the outer structure to maintain its’ sense of history. The unique design by Architect, Nadine Berger, will have terraces and lounges on two levels, a restaurant and bar area, inner patio garden, changing rooms and a reception area.

This is a course of great beauty, close to the historic town of Lagos, perfectly blending beach and mountain scenery. Its clubhouse, set between the ninth and tenth holes, provides a fantastic panorama over 25km of the Atlantic coastline. Besides its excellent level of maintenance, the reputation of the course derives from its perfect marriage between two types of landscape.

Onyria Palmares has opened to the public in October 2010, with a brand new 18 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr with breath-taking views that provides pleasurable and unique golf for those seeking the finest golf in the Western Algarve. In the spring of 2011, a further 9 holes will open featuring some unforgettable holes with views over the Ocean and Alvor Estuary.

Designed by Pepe Cancedo, one of Spain’s most respected architects, whose philosophy of golf course construction involves minimal alteration to the existing terrain. Its widely varying holes run through valleys, vineyards and eucalyptus covered ravines, and are flanked by olive, plum and pine trees.

The first hole is a 312m par 4 which curves graciously towards the east, and a challenge for those wishing to reach it in two. The first nine ends memorably, as the third shot to the green must go over a stream. On the second nine, the highlight is the 11th, whose green is well protected by water, and the 18th, which ends in an amphitheater right beneath the clubhouse. The clubhouse is typically Portuguese and offers spectacular panoramic views over the mountains and sea, besides a general view over eleven of the holes.

The Penina Championship Course is the most brilliant of Sir Henry Cotton’s designs. The triple winner of the British open, later a course designer, was one of the first to recognise the Algarve’s enormous potential as a golfing paradise. The quality and success of the Penina course encouraged the construction of many other courses in the Algarve.

The Championship Course opened in 1966, and although totally rebuilt in 1994/95, it still maintains its original features. It is a fairly flat, wooden course, with countless bunkers, almost four hundred thousand trees, several lakes, wide greens and a vast tee area, making the course a true championship test.

Penina also boats two nine-hole courses, also designed by Sir Henry Cotton: the Resort Course, a charming par 35 (2,987m); and the Academy Course, a short par 30 (1,851m).

Pestana Alto is situated near the picturesque village of Alvor, its former beauty enhanced by the fabulous white sandy beaches, crystal-blue sea and striking cliffs of the coast. It reflects Sir Henry Cotton’s philosophy that a golf course should constitute a good test not only for low handicap players, but also provide an agreeable game for less blessed players. After his death, the project was continued by Peter Dobereiner.

The course runs through two valleys with winding fairways and undulating greens. On the first nine, players can enjoy an excellent view over Lagos bay. The last nine unfold along gentle slopes and include what is said to be one of the longest holed in Europe : the 604m 16th, a par 5. Any player making a birdie here will receive a certificate and their name will be inscribed on the club’s roll of honour.

This is a course that takes full advantage of the naural beauty of the landscape.

In recent years there has been considerable investment made in the course, including the addition of a Golf Academy and some fabulous redesigned thinking of several holes.

From the opening par 4 that curves gracefully towards the early morning sun, to the truly majestic par 4 eighteenth set in a natural amphitheatre below the Clubhouse terrace, this course has already become, and will continue to be famous for having some classic golf holes.

The “Postage Stamp” par 3 fifth of just 113 metres to the smallest of bunker-surrounded greens makes an accurate tee shot essential. Challenging; but isnt that what we all want?

The picturesque, short par 3 eleventh – guarded on two sides by water, is one of the most inviting holes you could wish to play and is followed by a par 5 that leads up the “Valley of the Wells” to another elevated green.